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CEC 2025 Participants

Ideas from CEC 2025 participants

From 1 August to 31 July, participants in the Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition had time to work on their ideas, develop them further, make contacts, exchange ideas in the campus community and collect votes for a month using our free courses and materials.

We are delighted to present the participants and their creative ideas even after the end of CEC 2025:

Seed-Bomb Eco-Pellets for Aerial/Manual Dispersal

Revolutionize reforestation and ecological restoration with our innovative Seed-Bomb Eco-Pellets. Designed for both aerial and manual dispersal, these biodegradable pellets encase a strategic blend of native seeds, nutrient-rich soil, and mycorrhizal fungi. Upon contact with moisture, they rapidly break down, providing an optimal micro-environment for germination and robust plant growth. Ideal for hard-to-reach areas, post-wildfire recovery, and large-scale habitat regeneration, Eco-Pellets offer an efficient, sustainable, and impactful solution for a greener future.

A mobile platform designed to promote responsible plastic recycling by connecting producers, waste collectors, and recyclers. The app allows users to track recycling bins in their area, exchange recyclable material data (HDPE, PET, PVC, etc.), access educational videos on waste sorting, read ecology-related articles, and earn eco-coins for every recycling action taken.

HushHeart: Hear What the Heart Won’t Say

About 22% to 60% of heart attacks are silent. Thousands of people die annually due to this unrealized diagnosis: silent heart attacks are known to lead to lethal illnesses, of stroke, cardiac arrest, heart failure, and even more fatal heart attacks. Being a very common yet unaddressed problem, silent heart attacks call for a critical solution: HushHeart. HushHeart monitors silent heart attacks through a compact, wearable ECG patch that continuously scans heart activity and transmits data to a companion app via a secure Bluetooth connection. Inspired by existing products like the Omnipod DashPod for insulin pump therapy and Cardiac Patches, this idea contains a crucial combination of features that tackle valuable Sustainable Development Goals. What sets HushHeart apart is its AI-powered machine learning model trained on clinically validated ECG datasets, including silent myocardial infarction patterns and blood pressure levels. Unlike devices that only monitor general arrhythmias, this product focuses on detecting early ischemic changes that occur during silent heart attacks, which often go unnoticed due to a lack of normal chest pain symptoms. The patch, which is comfortably worn on areas close to the heart and accessible to blood flow, such as the chest or upper arm, collects data over time. The HushHeart model identifies subtle yet long-term deviations across hours or days while providing continuous analyses based on cardiac and pressure signals. These signals could include ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion, which could be early indicators of ischemia. HushHeart’s mobile app consists of both free and subscription elements. To begin, when downloading the app, users are immediately asked for their demographics and family history to ensure the most accurate and personalized data analysis. Additionally, a free built-in manual will teach patients how to read and understand the released real-time reports, so patients are on the same page as their body, allowing them to remain informed and in control. Subscription and premium features will unlock further access to tools like telehealth integration for consultations with local doctors and cardiologists, personalized facts relating to patients’ data, and customized educational experiences to help users make lifestyle adjustments or take preventative care. HushHeart is here for patients who remain oblivious to these silent killers, remaining ambitious to bring about an unprecedented, yet accessible change to the medical world and to save numerous lives.

Neuroxx is a wearable nerve-signal communication system that reads, replicates, and visualizes nerve impulses between two individuals. By safely transferring real nerve activity, it enables real-time comparison of how different bodies respond to the same stimulus — a breakthrough tool for medical research, rehabilitation, and neuro-education.

Naturista - planet and health friendly coffee pods

Every morning, billions of people around the world reach for their cup of coffee, blissfully unaware of the environmental and health costs hidden within every sip. When hot water runs through these plastic pods, harmful microplastics leach into your drink. After use, those pods join the 56 billion dumped into landfills each year, where they’ll sit for centuries. Brands like Nespresso and Keurig currently dominate the market but rely on plastic or aluminum pods that only worsen the impending global waste crisis. Even “compostable pods” from companies like San Francisco Bay are misleading—they require industrial facilities that 90% of people don’t have access to, while also compromising taste and freshness. That is why we created Naturista - the world’s first coffee pods that dissolve in water, offer a variety of health benefits, and biodegrade entirely within just days.

Rescue Reach

4 Authors

Rescue Reach revolutionizes beach safety, addressing the global drowning crisis that claims over 350,000 lives annually, especially in lifeguard-sparse areas. Our autonomous system combines advanced drone technology and AI image recognition to expand lifeguard capabilities tenfold. It detects dangerous rip currents instantly, notifies local lifeguards, instructs struggling swimmers on how to escape, and deploys life preservers when needed. In Brazil alone, where lifeguards only cover 30% of leisure water environments, drowning has claimed 179,000 lives over 25 years, with many in unmonitored areas. Rescue Reach enables lifeguards to monitor vast coastlines with pinpoint accuracy. Dangerous currents? Detected instantly. Struggling swimmers? Spotted and supported before disaster strikes. Equipped with the ability to deploy life preservers, these drones keep swimmers safe until help arrives. Rescue Reach isn't just a tool; it's the future of beach safety, making waves to protect what matters most.

TremorScan is an innovative AI-driven platform designed to analyze handwriting images to detect and classify tremor severity, supporting early diagnosis of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Essential Tremor, and other movement disorders. Leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and image processing techniques, TremorScan provides users with a quick, accurate, and clinician-validated assessment of tremor severity from uploaded handwriting samples. The platform also offers comprehensive, easy-to-understand reports, confidence scoring, and data privacy compliant with healthcare standards. Additionally, it connects users to neurologists and support communities to foster engagement and facilitate medical consultations.

Orzo Network

1 Author

Orzo is a nonprofit, AI-powered platform that helps early-career and under-resourced teachers access high-quality lesson plans, mentorship, and personalized teaching tools—free or at low cost. Experienced educators upload proven content and earn passive income, while newer teachers save time and improve instruction. By combining community knowledge with smart AI, Orzo advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)—creating a global, collaborative solution to improve classroom success everywhere.

Baby+ITECH

1 Author

In my multiple operations and trips in the health sector, I found myself several times with a newborn in my arms, in a hurry to find an incubator. I had to travel for hours in the ambulance to urgently find a hospital that could accommodate me and allow me to save a life. Faced with all these challenges, the idea came to me to set up an Android application, which will allow any user and especially us who are in the medical profession to know and quickly locate a free incubator in a hospital in the area. , and gain time to save a life, a newborn. This is why I really want to have funding so that this application can be developed and save lives.

RAPTOR - Rapid Alert & Patrol Tracking for Operational Rescue

Meet the forest's fastest responder, RAPTOR. It evokes a fast, precise response unit—and has a wild, powerful tone. When danger strikes in the wild, RAPTOR doesn't wait... With IR sensors, AI-powered detection of animals and humans, and real-time alerts, it listens for distress signals and gunshots from deep within the forest and immediately calls for help. Whether it’s a poacher’s step or an animal in panic, RAPTOR swoops in—with data, insight, and urgency. Because in the race to protect wildlife, speed might save lives...

SkillBox is a simple mobile-based learning platform I came up with to help underprivileged high school girls in India. A lot of them can’t access proper education or earn their own money, and I wanted to change that in a small but real way. The idea is to teach them useful digital and business skills — like how to use Canva, manage digital payments, or even start freelancing — all in short videos they can watch on their phones, even if they have low data or no fancy devices. The lessons would be in Hindi or other local languages so it’s easy to understand. Once they complete a few courses, they’ll be connected to small internships or paid tasks from local NGOs or businesses. This way, they not only learn but also earn — which can boost their confidence a lot. They’ll also collect reward points for finishing tasks, which they can use for phone recharges or basic study tools. SkillBox is all about giving these girls a fair chance to stand on their feet — in a way that’s practical, low-cost, and actually helpful in the real world.

SafeHarbor AI – Digital Refuge. Real Impact.

As of 2024, over 114 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced due to war, persecution, climate disasters, and political instability (UNHCR). Many face critical gaps in access to basic services such as shelter, food, legal assistance, and healthcare. Despite the existence of countless NGOs, governmental programs, and local networks, humanitarian aid remains fragmented, uncoordinated, and difficult to access—especially for those most in need. SafeHarbor AI is a multilingual, AI-powered humanitarian platform designed to guide and protect displaced people—refugees, migrants, and individuals affected by conflict, disaster, or persecution. It acts as a digital lifeline, providing real-time, location-based access to essential resources such as shelter, food, legal aid, medical care, and protection services. Accessible via mobile app, SMS, offline kiosks, or solar-powered devices, SafeHarbor AI ensures help is reachable even in the most resource-scarce environments. Through natural language processing, geolocation, and smart matching, it delivers personalized action plans based on each user’s language, location, legal status, and needs—offering immediate, context-aware steps to safety and support. Designed for global scalability, ethical use of AI, and adaptability in the field, the platform includes key features such as: - Offline and low-data access (via SMS and local nodes) - Multilingual interfaces and instant voice/text translation - Privacy-first architecture to protect vulnerable users - Modular, open API system for seamless integration with NGOs and institutions Beyond individual guidance, SafeHarbor AI also functions as a coordination tool for humanitarian actors. It enables NGOs, local organizations, and government institutions to update, share, and monitor available services in real time—unifying fragmented systems into a single, intelligent ecosystem. This enhances transparency, reduces duplication of effort, and helps organizations act more quickly and effectively, based on real needs and data. The project directly supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 1 – No Poverty, by connecting people to life-saving services and income opportunities SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, by offering equitable access regardless of status or origin SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by linking users to legal aid and protection mechanisms SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, by aligning actors in a unified, collaborative platform SafeHarbor AI is scalable, ethical, and built for real-world impact. In a global landscape where forced displacement is growing and digital inclusion is vital, this platform redefines humanitarian aid—making it faster, smarter, and more human-centered. It doesn’t just offer help. It offers direction, dignity, and hope.

Umit App - stress SOS tool and innovative neurotherapy simulator for the healthcare market

Umit is a stress-relief app designed for teenagers who often encounter anxiety during public speaking, exams, or personal struggles. While most mental health apps are either too complex or long-term focused, Umit offers an immediate, fun solution. The app helps reduce stress in just a few minutes through a unique 5-4-3-2-1 grounding game, breathing exercises, and daily affirmations. It speaks the language of youth, backed by science, and built with Flutter, Flame, and TF, Groq AI. With a friendly blue dragon mascot, Umit delivers calm and confidence when it is needed most.

Sustainable Citrus Peel Valorization: Pioneering Efficient Extraction for Essential Oils

Every year, the food industry discards millions of tons of citrus waste, contributing to resource loss and environmental challenges. Our innovative solution optimizes the extraction of essential oils from citrus peels, addressing traditional method limitations such as time inefficiency, molecular degradation, and secondary impurities. This eco-friendly alternative not only enhances the quality of essential oils but also minimizes waste, creating high-value products while reducing the environmental footprint.

Pee 4 Plants

Pee 4 Plants

2 Authors

Pee 4 Plants is an eco-innovative solution transforming human urine into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Using urine-diverting toilets, we collect and treat urine for safe plant application. This sustainable model reduces chemical fertilizer use, saves water, and fosters a circular economy for healthier communities and planet.

Many girls grow up without basic financial education, making them less confident in managing money, starting businesses, or investing in their futures. SheCounts is a youth-led financial literacy workshop series designed to empower middle and high school girls with essential business and money skills. Through fun, interactive sessions, girls learn how to budget, price products, compare costs, save, and even pitch small business ideas. Each session includes hands-on challenges like “Create a business plan with $100” or “Design your dream storefront and calculate expenses.” The program can be delivered in schools, libraries, or virtually, using Canva slides and printable workbooks. SheCounts builds confidence, closes the gender finance gap, and prepares girls to become financially independent leaders and future entrepreneurs.

Harvest 2.0 :- AI-Powered Hydroponic Farms for a Sustainable Future

Our idea is to set up high-tech hydroponic farms on our own land to grow food sustainably and help fight hunger. Hydroponics allows crops to grow without soil and use up to 90% less water, making it ideal for water-scarce regions. We plan to grow a diverse range of crops — from leafy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce to staple vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, along with herbs such as basil and mint, and even strawberries. By utilizing vertical stacking systems, smart automation, and AI-driven sensors to monitor water, light, and nutrients in real time, we will be able to produce food continuously throughout the year with much higher yields per square meter than traditional farming. Powered by solar energy and rainwater recycling, our farm will not only reduce waste and emissions but also lower farming costs. What makes our approach unique is the combination of proven hydroponic methods with automation at scale and a strong local focus — ensuring that food is grown close to the communities who need it most. By delivering fresh, affordable produce directly to these communities, we help improve food security, create local job opportunities, and support UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). Our farm aims to demonstrate that sustainable, tech-powered agriculture can make a real impact in providing nutritious food while conserving water and energy — all year round, and regardless of soil or climate conditions.

Skill Addis is a digital skilling and talent outsourcing platform that connects underrepresented African youth, this would mainly focus and prioritize on women and marginalized communities with demand-driven remote and hybrid job opportunities globally. We focus on building employability through localized, enabled through technology learning and real-world project experience, while bridging the gap between education and meaningful employment. The platform tackles systemic unemployment by offering career-aligned training, mentorship, and placement services tailored to Africa’s growing digital economy.

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